Chapter 10
Chapter 10: Shadows at the Gate
A grey dawn settled over Lowmoor Academy, cold and watchful. Thin clouds drifted like smoke across the sky, and the air tasted of iron—as if the earth itself held its breath. Zephyr sensed the change the moment he woke. Star did too. The hatchling stood on his pillow, wings half-spread and nose twitching at distant scents.
"What is it, little scout?" Zephyr whispered.
A soft chime bloomed inside his mind.
[Ding! Dragon Sense Alert]
Foreign mana signatures detected — South Gate.
Rank estimate: A-Rank (suppressed).
Zephyr's pulse jumped. The Guild envoys are here.
He slipped from bed, secured Star in the hidden sling, and crossed the hall to knock on Fenna's door. She opened in her night coat, hair tousled.
"They arrived?" she asked, eyes already sharp.
He nodded. "We must be careful all day. Stay close if you can."